Gas lift valve and surface operating mechanism



March 3, 1942. BRYAN 2,275,346

GAS LIFT VALVE AND SURFACE OPERATING MECHANISM F iled Feb. 9, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 54 TEL T52. 28 2a 6/ 60 6/ v 69 5H5: 67 57 7/ wig: mg 58/E 68 In:

6 6 /a I i 2 i 4 4 26 -23 f L -24 5 2 2/ I 2/ 5 I a 1 "2a 4 E /7 l5 9 i I '/4 a I 5 l i I. l /6 7; "V 22 22 I /9 a 579 20 0 he s /& 'THOMAS-EBRYAN INVENTOR ATTORNEY (id/x342 3 Shee ts-Sheet 2 T. E. BRYAN 9A5 LIFT VALVE AND SURFACE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 9

March 3, 1942.

March 3, 1942. T. E. BRYAN GAS LIFT VALVE AND SURFACE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 9, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 fl Ell.

THOMAS E. BRYAN INV'ENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 3, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HANISM I Thomas E. Bryan, Fort Worth, Tex. Application February 9, 1939, Serial No. 255,395 22 Claims. (01. 103-232) This invention relates to gas lift equipment for oil wells of the type operated at predetermined intervals from the earths surface and it has particular reference to apparatus capable of being installed and removed at will without pulling the tubing string and adapted to be operatively arranged in the well either above or below a packer and its principal object resides in the provision of a valve assembly admitting gas pressures at fixed intervals either by manual or mechanical manipulation.

Another object of the inventionresides in the provision of apparatus for lifting'oil in a string of tubing comprising a valve assembly capable of being lowered into the tubing string to a desired depth to properly regulate the inflow of air or gas from the casing chamber around the tubing raising the oil column formed therein to the earths surface at intervals previously determined according to the productivity of the particular well, the source of the motivating air or gas pressures being supplied either by natural rock pressure or artificially from the surface.

Still another object of the invention is manifest in the provision of a compact valve assembly adapted to be actuated intermittently by a cable or operating line from the surface to admit the lifting fluids at intervals of such duration as may be required to insure the maximum production from the well at a minimum of cost and permitting allowables, in prorated areas, to be produced over periods which may readily be predetermined according to the convenience of the operator andthe capacity of the well.

Broadly, the invention seeks to comprehend the provision of novel and economical apparatus possessing features enabling its use in wells normally requiring conventional pumping equipment which is costly both in installation and operation.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a typical installation of the invention in an oil well showing, diagrammatically, the valve assembly disposed above the packer and illustrating a time actuating valve operating device.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional detail view of one form of pressure operated valve actuating device. Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a form of fitting employed to house the valve assembly and showing the latter installed therein.

Figure 4 represents a lateral cross-sectional view of the upper end of the assembly shown in Figure 3 and taken on lines 4-4 thereof.

Figure 5 fragmentarily illustrates the valve assembly shown in Figure 3 installed in the tubing without the fitting and modified to include fluid by-passes therethrough.

Figure 6 is a lateral cross-sectional illustration taken on lines 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 shows, in vertical section, the valve assembly illustrating the dual closure arrangement and showing the ports positioned intermediate the closure' elements.

Figure 8 illustrates yet another and modified form of valve assembly and fitting therefor installed to operate beneath the packer, parts of the assembly being shown in cross-section.

Figure 9 fragmentarily illustrates a section of casing wherein a valve assembly is shown in cross-section adapted to regulate the flow of motivating fluids artificially introduced from above.

Figure 10 is another cross-sectional illustration of a valve assembly, shown installed in a fragmentary section of casing, wherein the motivating fluid may be passed through by-pass tubes.

Figure 11 is a lateral cross-sectional view taken on lines ll-ll of Figure 10, and

Figure 12 illustrates, in lateral cross-section,

the valve arrangement shown in Figure 10 and on lines l2-l2 thereof.

A typical installation of the invention is illustrated in Figure 1 in which the valve assembly is shown interposed in a string of tubing l arranged concentrically within a string of casing 2. Figure 1 also includes an illustration of the valve actuating mechanism installed at the earth's 'surface and suitably connected to the casing head 3. This assembly will be presently described.

Figures 3 through 12 show the valve assembly in slightly modified forms as applied to varying conditions and requirements.

An important object of the invention is that of providing a removable structure capable of being installed and withdrawn at will and it is therefore desirable to encase the operating element within a cylindrical housing 4, such as that illustrated in Figures 3 and 7, and which is comprised of a head member 5, having a depending portion threadedly engaging the upper end of a cup retaining sleeve 6, the lower end of which threadedly engages a sleeve 1 whose ends are swaged restricting the portion intermediate its ends and which the member 1. The lowermost swaged-end of the latter threadedly receives the upper end of the lowermost section 9 of the main housing 4 which is shaped similarly to the member 6.

An integral quill portion III depends from the member 9 upon which a tail cap II is threaded and which is adapted to be received by the seat I2 within which the valve assembly is restrained against upward displacement by a latch I3. The sleeve 6 and quill ID of the members 5 and 9 are each provided with a series of cups and rings I4 and I5 above and below the swaged member I. The cups I4 provide a suitable seal within the sleeve I6 within which the main housing 4 reposes and which is supported within a cylinder I'I connected within the tubing string I by swaged nipples I8 and couplings I9 and 20.

The sleeve I6 is supported within the cylinder Il by radially arranged brackets 2I and nipples 22 which provide communications for air or gas pressures entering the valve assembly at a point adjacent to the annular chamber a afforded within the sleeve I6 around the swaged member 1. The nipples 22 extend through the walls of the cylinder I7 intermediate its ends, as illustrated in Figure 3. A rod 23 is arranged longitudinally through the main housing 4 of the valve assembly whose lower end is provided preferably with a pair of closure elements 24 and 25 having conical faces adapted to engage the tapered seats b and e arranged within the swaged or central member I between which the ports 8 are arranged. While two closure elements 24 and 25 are illustrated, the lowermost element 25 actually controls the passage of fluid and is somewhat larger than the upper member 24. Only the upper element 24 may be employed if desired by eliminating the lower seat and substituting a plug or the like. A guide member 26 surrounds the rod 23 above the seat and is perforated at d to permit the flow of fluids therethrough.

The uppermost end of the rod 23 is provided with a fishing neck 21 which is apertured at e affording an eye into which the operating and retrieving cable 28 is connected. Ports 29 are provided through the head member of the valve housing 4 for the upward passage of fluids therethrough.

Figure 5 fragmentarily illustrates the central portion of the assembly showing the details of the closure elements 24 and and their relationship to the seats I) and c and the manner in which the device is installed in a string of tubing omitting the cylinder I! which forms a housing for the valve assembly such as that illustrated in Figure 3. The member I, in this modification, is identical with that shown in Figures 3 and 7 with exception to the fluid passages 30 extending vertically through the walls of the restricted portion of the member I whose function will be presently described. A continuous passage of liquid is permitted upwardly through the entire assmbly by reason of the passages 30 and will therefore eliminate the necessity for the cylinder I! which affords the by-pass for the liquids in the installation illustrated in Figure 3.

The clearance around the lowermost end of the rod 23 projecting through the lowermost seat 0 is such as to permit free passage of motivating fluids therearound when the closure 25 is raised from its seat so that pressures entering through the ports 8 may readily pass downwardlythrough the seat 0 and upwardly through the by-passes 30 to expel the liquid previously passed through the latter and reposing in the tubing above the assembly. In the structure shown in Figure 5 gas pressures are admitted from without the tubing I through the ports 3I in the walls thereof from the annular chamber around the tubing within the casing 2 in the same manner as fluid pressures are introduced through the nipples 22 in the structure illustrated in Figure 3.

Referring to the detailed illustration of the valve assembly, shown in Figure 7, it will be noted that the interior of the cap 5 is substantially conical and is adapted to be engaged by an integral flange 32 on the lowermost end of the fishing neck 21 within which the rod 23 is secured, the flange 32 functioning'as a. stop to eliminate the upward movement of the rod 23 and to aid in withdrawing the assembly from the well. The flange 32 is of such diameter as not to restrict the apertures 29 through the cap 5. The tail cap II, threaded to the lowermost end of the assembly, is

also provided with openings 33 to admit the oil therethrough in its upward passage through the assembly. It is not necessary, when the structure shown in Figure 5 is employed, to provide the apertures 33 in the tail cap I I since the oil is bypassed around the assembly and the sleeve I6, through the cylindrical housing Il, within which the valve is installed, as in Figure 3.

Figures 8 through 12 disclose other forms of the assembly wherein the gas pressures utilized for motivating flu ds and the oil is allowed to flow through and around the structure which, unlike the forms of the device illustrated elsewhere, is

provided with by-passes affording communications between compartments formed within the annular space around the tubing cylinder IT.

The structures illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 10 embody a main housing 4 which differs, in some respects, from that shown in Figures 3 and 5 in that some parts are eliminated. This housing, therefore, comprises a main body member 34 having both ends threaded, the upper end of which receives the cap or head member 5 while the tail cap II is threaded to the lowermost end. The cups and rings I4 and I5 are secured in position upon the upper portion of the body member 34 by the head member 5 and upon the lower portion of the body member 34 by the tail cap I I and each set of the rings I4 and I5 bear against flanges 35 integral with the body member 34 and which define an annular space a around the latter between the upper and lower sets of cups and rings I4 and I5 similar to the annular space a formed between the opposing ends of the swaged member 1 illustrated in Figures 3 to 7. The tail cap II shown in Figures 8 to 10 has preferably an open bore 36 permitting the free passage of gas pressures therethrough which, after entering through the by-passes 31, whose upper ends extend through a partition 38 surrounding the tubing I within the cylindrical housing I1, communicate with the interior of the latter intermediate the ends of the valve housing 4 through the annular chamber a previously described. It will be noted, however, that the cap or head member 5, illustrated in the modified forms of the invention in Figures 9 and 10, is not provided with the perforations 29 as in the form shown in Figures 3 and 7.

The valve housing 4 is provided with ports 8 at this point admitting the pressures to continue downwardly through the valve seat 0. normally closed by the closure elements 25 integral with the plunger 34, thence downwardly through the eductor tube 39 and out the lowermost end thereof rising around the latter. urging the oil upwardly through the ports 40 in the ring or partition 4| arranged around the tubing I near the lowermost I within the end thereof and into the tubing I through ports 42 above the valve assembly.

Each of the arrangements of cups I4 and rings I provides a seal within upper and lower liners 43 within the tubing I, to the lowermost of which is attached a conical seat 44, similar to the member I2 shown in Figure 3, receiving the tapered tail cap II and serves to lock down the assembly in cooperation with the latch I3.

The rod 23 is provided with an upper closure 24 which normally closes an upper ported seat b, as in Figures 3 to '7, the purpose of the two closures and seats being to provide a balanced valve arrangement insuring proper function in admitting and shutting off the pressures but the upper member 24 may be dispensed with and a stufling box or guide substituted therefor if desired. The upper end of the rod 23, as in the other structures, shown, is suitably attached to the fishing neck 21 and is adapted to be operated from the surface through the cable or line 28.

By reference to Figure 8 it will become apparent that the assembly just described is installed at the lowermost end of the casing 2 within the tubular housing I1 whose diameter approximates that intermediate the respective diameters of the tubing I and casing.2 and-is connected to the tubing I by a fitting 45 in such amanner as to permit the tubing I to extend downwardly thereinto. A portion of the length of the housing I1 and the eductor tube 39 is threadedly attached to its lowermost end.

The eductor tube 39 extends down into the lowermost end of the housing I1 which is threadedly connected with another fitting 46 suspending another section of tubing I. A packer 41 provides a seal around the upper end of the housing I1 within the lowermost end of the casing 2. This arrangement diifers from that illustrated in Figure 1 in which the packer 41 is positioned below the valve assembly.

The structures illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 10 are especially designed for installation below the packer 41 in the manner illustrated in Figure 8. Each of the structures illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 and also in Figure 10 are housed within the tubular casing I1 which surrounds the lowermost portion of the tubing string I by the fitting 45, previously described and shown in Figure 8, and which is substantially conical in form and is provided with ports 48 arranged through By-pa'ss tubes 52 form communications between the chamber within the lowermost end ofthe housing I1 and the compartment 49 in which the valve assembly is arranged in the tubing I which conducts gas or air pressures, introduced into the assembly for lifting the oil,

downwardly to force the latter up into'the tubing tubing I within the housing I1 above the upper ends of the by-pass tubes 31 extending through the upper partition 38 and downwardly forming a communication between the annular chamber 53 and the annular space between the upper and lower assemblies of cups I4 and rings I5 arranged upon the housing 4 of the valve assembly. The pressures are permitted to enter the valve assembly through the ports 8 arranged in the housing 4 directly opposite the point of entry of the by-pass tubes 31 in the chamber a. The ports 8 are arranged between the valve seats 11 and c, the motivating fluids being admitted downwardly through the seat 0 when the closure 25 is raised,

the top thereof and which permit the passageduwnwardly of motivating pressures, such as gas or air, introduced from the earth's surfac through the housing I1.

Referring now to Figure 10, it will be noted that the valve assembly herein described is .re- 'movably enclosed within that portion of the tubing i which projects into the housing I1 and is supported therein by the upper and lower partitions 38 and H providing an annular closed compartment 49 therebetween, similar to that illustrated in Figure 9, through which the oil is bypassed around the valve assembly, its progress being upwardly into the tubing I and outwardly into the compartment 49 through ports 59 in the walls of the tubing I, returning to the tubing I through the ports 42 arranged above the valve assembly and identical with those illustrated in Figure 9, a partition or plug 5| being positioned in the tubing I immediately above the ports 59 in the lowermost end of the compartment 49 rerting the fluid outwardly through the ports 22 as described. 1

thence through the tail cap II and the by-pass tubes 52 to a point below the lowermost end of the eductor tube 39 to expel the oil in the manner previously described.

Obviously, the valve assembly shown in Figure 10 is identical with that shown in Figure 9 with exception to the addition of the lowermost by-pass tube 52 extending through the lower partition 4| as well as the addition of the partition or plug il in the tubing section I. The ports 58 arranged below the partition 5| are also a feature which is not included in the structure illustrated in Figure 9.

The principal diiference, therefore, between these two structures, illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, is functional, 1. e., in the first instance, the motivating fluids, air or gas pressures, are intro-' duced into the annular chamber 53 above the valve assembly and downwardly through the by-pass tubes 31, through the valve assembly and the eductor tube 39 forcing the oil upwardly around the outside of the latter and through the ports 49 in the partition 4I, thence upwardly through the ports 42 and into the tubing I. In the second instance, the structure shown in Figure 10, gas pressures, upon being introduced into the annular chamber 53, pass downwardly through the bypass tubes 31, through the valve assembly, thence through the tubes 52 below the latter forcing the oil exterlorly of the tubing I into the latter and upwardly through ports 50, the annular compartment 49, the ports. into the tubing I.

It must be borne in mind that the structures just described are designed for use below the packer 41 and therefore function differently from the forms of the invention exemplified in Figures 1 and 3 which are adapted to be employed above the packer 41, as shown in the diagrammatic illustration in Figure 1. In this instance, gas pressures are introduced exterlorly of the cylindrical housing I 1 through the valve assembly and upwardly through the tubing I while the oil proceeds upwardly from the source around the valve assembly, thence upwardly through the tubing string.

The modification illustrated in Figure 5, previously described, also differs in function from the pass upwardly through the passages 3| extending vertically through the member I. As the oil rises into the tubing it is permitted to pass upwardly through the passages 3|, forming a column above the assembly and, when the valve is operated from above, gas pressures are admitted through the lower seat c, after entering the ports 8 and 30 in the walls of the member 'I and the tubing l, thence upwardly through the passages 3| to expel the liquid column above the assembly.

In each instance the structures are mechanically or manually manipulated from the earths surface through the medium of the' cable 28 suspended through the tubing I from a pulley 54 supported above the casing head 3 in the manner illustrated in Figure 1. An assembly comprisingan outlet pipe 55, connected with the tubing Land an extending portion 56 of the tubing l upon whose upper end is attached a stuffing box 51 through which the cable 28 is operated. The pulley 54, to-

gether with other operating paraphernalia, which will be presently described, is supported by the member 56 by a bracket 58.

The valve assembly is actuated preferably by a time operated mechanism 59 comprising a driven rotor 60 having fingers 6| adapted to depress a spring tensioned stem 62 of a valve 63 connected into a gas or air supply line 64 from a compressor or reservoir (not shown). connected into the main pressure supply line I55 which communicates with the interior of the casing 2 to supply pressure through the valve assembly to the liquid below. Suitable shut-ofl valves 66 are provided for cutting of! the supply of motivating fluids through the lines 64 and 65.

The valve assembly 59 illustrated in Figure 1, functions to regulate pressures entering a cylinder 61 in which is operatively arranged a piston 68 which is normally retained in its uppermost 'position by a spring 69 surrounding a guide stem. 10 connected to the piston 68, as shown in crosssection in Figure 1, while the uppermost end of the piston 68 is secured to the end of the cable 28 opposite the valve assembly. Thus, pressure entering the cylinder 61 depresses the .piston 68 in a sudden movement operating the valve assembly below through the cable 28 which is connected to the rod 23 of the valve assembly through the eye e in the upper end thereof. The piston is permitted to rise again in the cylinder 61, aided by the spring 69, as the pressure in the cylinder 61 is exhausted through a relatively small portll whose diameter may be varied according to the speed with which it is desired to cause the valve assembly to function after the same .;has been suddenly operated by the depression of the piston 68 in the manner previously described. It is obvious, however, that other modes of operation of the valve assembly may be provided, that illustrated and described herein being only one form of actuating mechanism.

A modified form of the cylinder 81 and the pston 68 is shown in Figure 2 in which the piston is adapted to move upwardly when pressure is introduced through the pipe 64 against a tension spring 69 to permit the valve to close instead of opening the same as would be the function of the structure shown in Figure 1. The pressure is allowed to be exhausted from the cylinder 81 through the port H arranged in the bottom thereof to permit the piston 68 to assume its normal position.

While the weight of the member 21 on the rod 23, illustrated in Figures 3, and 6, is believed to be suflicient to insure the proper tune- The line 64 may be munications through the said valve and,the;,sa

or lowered thereinto at will.

.tubing and thereby provide a standing ting lifting pressures through the valve a tion of the valve assembly, addition may be applied to the uppermost end go: he sea. 23 or to the cable 28 and Jars (not sho f": )Qnia" also be employed to aid in the installatibdor moval of the assembly if such procedrir deemed expedient. As previously pointed out, the principa bf oi the invention is to provide a removable assembly afi'ording a medium through may be produced by as lift methods anti w the lifting fluids are introduced fromlthe surface into the casing surroundingitlie VJ string and to cause the operation ofigthegyayfe admitting the lifting fluids into the tubih ijst after the'column of oil is flowed th nto 1 intervals which may be determined acco din the individual requirements of each well necessary only to detach the upper e M cable 28 from the piston 68 and secure]; to a suitably powered winch, or the likefby the device can be drawn upwardly fro Obviously, the oil may flow into the wjell'f nil freely in some instances than in others and c scquentiy it is desirable to regulate A intervals .of operation of the valve a'ccor For example, after the hourly productib particular well has been determined thelo ing mechanism at the earth's surface I "y accordingly so as to actuate the valve 0 the lifting fluids into the column at tervals as may be consistent with thef', which has been previously introduced tubing. Thus, the allowable accredited particular well may be produced in a period of time, that is, the shortest per time necessary to produce the allowablejpr the maximum of oil is flowed into th during such period.

Another object of the invention, as manifest in the provision of a valve permitting the downward fiow of motivatin pressures to displace the oil upwardly,.,iii

of fluid of lesser height and thus minimi h h back pressure on the formation result ng ii greater recovery of fiuid per cycle of o "fr" than could be secured by creating suchjcolumn within the smaller diameter tubing and" which may be raised to the earth's surface by-ad'rn'it sse'niblj into the tubing'to discharge the oil colum herefrom.

Although the invention has been described with great particularity, it is manifest that eertaln changes and modifications may be resorted to from time to time by those skilled "';in the art and such changes and modifications so m'ade and which may be considered as falling'fiwithin the spirit of the invention may also be considered as coming within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: r

1. In combination with a string of tubing-and casing in an oil well, a removable valve adapted to be positioned in the said tubing, the saidlyalve comprising a tubular housing and havingiaa valve diameter than the first named tubing forming pressure fluid to the said tubing above the said valve through the said valve seat, means comprising flow passages providing communications between the said valve housing and the said casing exteriorly of the said tubing, means connected from the earths surface to the said rod providing an operating means for the said valve, and means actuating the said operating means at predetermined intervals.

2. In a string of tubing arranged within an oil well casing in an oil well, a removable valve for admitting motivating fluids for lifting oil com-,- prising a tubular housing having a rod arranged therethrough, a valve element attached to the said rod, a valve seat receiving thesaid valve, communications through the said seat with the space interiorly of the said tubing for admitting pressure fluid to the said tubing above the said valve, communications comprising flow passages between the said tubing and the said casing and communicating with the first named communications, and means at the earths surface connected to the said rod operating the said valve at predetermined intervals interrupting the fiow of the said fluids through the said communications.

3. In combination, a string of tubing and casing in an oil well, a fitting interposed within the said tubing string, a removable housing arranged within the said fitting, a valve rod operatively extending through the said housing having closure elements thereon, apertured valve seats adapted to receive the said closure elements, providing communication through thesaid housing with the interior of the said tubing, communications through the said housing with the space interiorly of the said fitting between the said apertured seats, passages between the said fitting and the said casing providing communication with the first named communications, time controlled means at the earths surface operating the said valve rod interrupting the flow of gas through all of .the said communications and means forming a connection between the said time controlled means and the said valve rod.

4. In apparatus for raising liquids from a well, a wellcasing, a tubing extending into the said casing, a portion of the said tubing extending below the said casing, sealing means betweem the said tubing and the said casing, a chamber attached to the said tubingextending through the sealing means and depending therebelow, a partition located transversely in the said chamber and around the said tubing forming separate chambers thereabove and therebelow, communications between the chamber below the partition and the interior of the tubing, conduits providing communications between the interior of the tubing and the chamber above the partition, an obstruction in the tubing below said last named communication, a second partition located transversely in the said chamber below the first named partition surrounding the tubing therein and integral therewith, conduits providing communications between the interior of the tubing and the chamber below said lower partition, apertures providing communications between the interior of the tubing below the obstruction and the chamber above the second partition and a valve removably mounted in the said tubing above the obstruction controlling the admission of gas into the said tubing through all of the said communications.

5. In an apparatus for lifting fluids from a well, a well tubing extending into the well, a casing in the said well, a section of tubing larger in a chamber attached to and surrounding the lower end of the said tubing, a packer arranged around the said second named tubing section forming gas to the section of tubing within the said chamber, a removable valve having an apertured seat and closure therefor mounted in said section of tubing within the chamber for controlling admission of such gas into the tubing, means admitting well fluid to the tubing through said valve, and timed controlled means at the earths surface having a cable connected with the said valve for operating the same to expel the well fluid accumulated therein.

6. In an oil well having a casing and a string of tubing, the combination of a surface intermitting device including an operating line comprising a-valve structure located within the tubing having an apertured seat and a closure therefor, the said closure connected to the said line and adapted to be operated thereby admitting gas through the said seat, means connected in the said tubing comprising a by-pass chamber receiving the said valve structure, means comprising conduits arranged within the chamber conducting the gas through the valve structure into the lower section of the said well tubing for forcing oil accumulated within the bottom of the well upwardly through the said by-pass chamber around and into the said tubing above the said valve structure.

7. In an oil well havinga casing, a string of tubing and a packer, the combination of a. gas controlling valve having an apertured seat arranged within the string of tubing beneath the packer, a section of welltubing of larger dia-.

meter surrounding the portion of the said tubing encasing the said valve and supported by the said tubing forming a chamber, ports in the said tubing providing communications exteriorly thereof with the said chamber, by-pass tubes providing inlets for gas through the said valve into the said tubing, closure means cooperating with the said seat and normally closing the said valve, means providing passage of well fluid from the tubing string below the said valve and into the tubing above the latter, and means operated from the earths surface actuating the closure means for the said valve.

8. In an oil well having a casing, a string of tubing and a packer, a valve for controlling gas interrupting passage of the said gas, means permitting the flow of well fluid into the said tubing around and above the said valve from the bottom 01 he well and means at the earth's surface intermittently operating the said valve closing means.

9. In combination with a string of tubing, a casing and a packer in an oil well, a gas lift valve assembly including a fitting supported by and embracing the lower end of the said tubing and exlift valve with a string of tubing, a casing and a packer in an oil well comprising a fitting supported by and embracing the lower end of the said tubing and extending downwardly through the said packer forming a separate chamber, a normally closed valve assembly removably arranged within the lower end of the said tubing within the said chamber forming a compartment therebelow in the said tubing, communications providing oil passages through the said chamber around the said valve and into the said tubing above the said valve assembly, communications between the compartment below the said valve and the tubing thereabove admitting gas pressures from the casing through the said chamber and the said valve assembly when the latter is opened, and means intermittently actuating the said valve assembly.

11. The combination of a surface controlled gas lift valve, a string of tubing, a casing and a packer in an oil well comprising afitting connected to and supported by the said tubing string, a normally closed valve assembly removably supported within the said fitting, oil flow passages through the said fitting around the said valve, communications between the said fitting and the casing through the said valve admitting gas pressures into the said tubing, and means intermittently operating the said valve.

12. The combination of a gas'lift valve, a string of tubing, a casing and a packer in an oil well comprising a tubular fitting supported by and embracing a portion of the said tubing and extending through and below the said packer, partitions in the said fitting providing multiple compartments, a normally closed valve assembly including a housing supported within the said tubing and the said fitting, ported seats in the said valve assembly and ports in the said housing providing a communication therethrough between the tubing and the said fitting, conduits providing communications between certain of the said compartments and the said valve admitting gas pressures from the casing therethrough, ports providing communication through another of the said compartments admitting the passage of oil upwardly around the said valve and into the said tubing, and means intermittently actuating the said valve.

13. In combination with a string of tubing and a casing in an oil well, a valve assembly for controlling the admission of gas under pressure into a liquid column in the tubing including a housing having external sealing surfaces for engaging the inner walls of the tubing and having lateral openings between said sealing surfaces through its walls in communication with a source of gas under pressure exteriorly of the said tubing and open well fluid passages at its upper and lower ends respectively and valve means mounted within said housing for controlling pressure fluid. through said lateral openings, timed means at the earth's surface for operating the said valve, the said timed means including a pressure astuated piston,- means intermittently applying pressure to the said piston, and a wire line forming an operative association between the said piston and the said valve.

14. In combination with a string of tubing and a casing in an oil well, a removable surface controlled gas lift valve comprising a fitting connected to and supported by the said tubing string within the said casing, a packer surrounding the said fitting forming separate compartments in the said casing, a valve assembly removably supported within the said fitting, uninterrupted oil flow passages through the said fitting communicating with the tubing above and below, communications between the said fitting and the casing through the said valve admitting gas pressures into the said tubing from the compartment in the casing below the said packer, and means including a timed operating piston and a cable connecting the said piston with the said valve intermittently operating the said valve.

15. In combination with a conduit for removing liquids from a well, said conduit having a lateral opening therein in communication with a source of gas under pressure, a valve adapted to be lowered into said conduit and operated from the surface for controlling fiow through said opening and having a part adapted to removably seat within said conduit and to form a sealed connection with the inner end of said opening when so seated, and timed means at the earth's surface for actuating the said valve.

16. The combination of a wire line controlled gas lift valve, a string of tubing, a casing and a packer in an oil well comprising a fitting connected to and supported by the said tubing string, a valve assembly removably supported within the said fitting, a housing for the said valve assembly, oil flow passages vertically disposed through the said housing around the said valve assembly communicating with the tubing above and below the said valve assembly, communications between the said fitting and the casing through the said valve admitting gas pressures into the said tubing, and means intermittently operating the said valve.

17. In combination, a well casing, a well tubing within and extending below the well casing, means interposed in the lower end of said tubing for supporting a valve, a valve for controlling gas pressures through the said valve supporting means supported in the said means, means for by-passing a fluid flowing through said tubing around said means and the said valve, means forming a seal between said casing and said tubing above said by-pass means, and means for conveying gas under pressure from said casing past said sealing means to said valve supporting means intermediate the ends of said by-passing means.

18. In an automatic flow valve adapted to be removably installed in an oil well, the combination with a-casing and string of tubing, a fitting interposed in thesaid tubing string, a valve housing concentrically supported within the said fitting, openings in the top of the said housing forming communication with the said tubing, a rod operatively arranged within the said housing, an apertured seat in the said valve housing'and closure means carried by the said rod cooperating with the said seat, communications through the walls of the said housing and the said fitting for the passage of pressure fluid from the said casing to the said tubing through the said apertured seat and the said housing, the said ,com-

munications adapted to be closed by the said closure means, and means at the earths surface intermittently operating the said rod.

I 19. In apparatus for automatically! controlling gas in ejecting oil from oil wells, the combination with a casing and a string of tubing having a fitting interposed therein, a removable valve assembly disposed in the said fitting comprising a housing, openings in the top of the said housing into the said tubing, a rod operatively arranged through the said housing, closure elements arranged on the'said rod, ported seats for the said closure elements adapted to be closed thereby, ports through the walls of the said housing between the said seats providing communication between the'said tubing and easing through the said housing, and means operated from the earths surface actuating the said rod and closure elements.

20. A wireline operated valve unit comprising a housing adapted to be lowered into a well tubing and positioned therein adjacent its lower end, the combination of a well tubing having gas passage means through the walls thereof, a valve rod' the top of the said tubing exteriorly of the well, v and afiording gas tight passage of the said line therethrough, a cylinder attached'to the -said' tubing and a piston within saidcylinder associated with one end of the said line, means to alternately raise and lower said line in said tubing by movement of said piston whereby said tool and wire line valve are operated within the said tubing controlling passage of gas into the said well tubing through the gas passage means in the walls of said tubing.

21. Apparatus for removing fluid from wells in combination with the tubing and casing in a well comprising a fitting attached to the lower end of said tubing, a packer attached to said tubing and sealing against the walls of the said casing forming a reservoir for a pressure fluid thereabove,

means to seal the top of said casing and reservoir, a port through the walls of said fitting having communication with the interior of said tubing and the said reservoir, means to supply a pressure fluid to said reservoir at the top thereof whereby well fluid confined in said reservoir is forced through said port into said tubing, means in said tubing below said fitting preventing back flow of fluids into the well, a valve adapted to be lowered into said fitting through said tubing and controlling passage of pressure fluid through said port and means at the earths surface for actuating said valve, said valve having passages therethrough for well fluid rising in said tubing.

22. A well flowing apparatus including a well tubing, a housing capable of being lowered into the said tubing and operatively located therein adjacent its lower end, gas passage means through the wall of the said tubing, a stem within the said housing and extending through an end thereof, inlets in the said housing for receiving gas from the said passage means, passages within the said housing extending from the said inlets to the interior of the said tubing, valve elements on the said stem for opening and closing the said inlets, a wire line extending through the said tubing and operatively connected to the said stem, packing means at the upper end of the said tubing enclosing the said wire line, and time controlled means for operating the said wire line.

THOMASE. BRYAN. 

